Benign essential tremor: features that aid in diagnosis.

Benign essential tremor can be distinguished from parkinsonism by its rapid frequency, the involvement of voice and head, and the common finding of a positive family history. Essential tremor is less incapacitating than parkinsonism and less inexorably progressive. Propranolol (Inderal) is the best therapy available at this time. The transient beneficial effect of alcohol is deceptive. Patients with this disorder, although they find the tremor embarrassing, are generally not incapacitated and are otherwise in excellent health.